Rosemary

Latin Name: Salvia rosmarinus (syn., Rosmarinus officinalis)

Common Names: rosemary, compass plant, romarin, encensier, Rose de Marie, dew of the sea, elf leaf, polar plant

Family: Lamiaceae

Habitat: Rosemary is native to the Mediterranean region (as well as Portugal and NW Spain) but is now widely grown across the world. It is an evergreen perennial with aromatic leaves growing as a small shrub up to 2 meters tall, though some cultivars are more prostrate in growth. Leaves are needle-like, opposite and evergreen, and flowers, which are blue, white or lavender, are arranged alternately along the stem. Grows best in full sun to part shade (morning sun/afternoon shade) and needs very well drained soil.

Parts Used: leaf, stem

History/Tradition: Rosemary was associated in Greek mythology with the goddess Mnemosyne whose name means memory. Students in ancient Greece wore rosemary garlands in their hair as they believed it would improve their memory. It was also common practice to hold rosemary stems at funerals and to place them on coffins as “rosemary is for remembrance”. There are ancient records of it being burned as incense at religious ceremonies as well. It has a long history of use ranging from the treatment of jaundice, to increase milk production in breastfeeding mothers, and was used to relax muscles by adding to baths. Another fun fact, Napoleon Bonaparte was obsessed with eau de Cologne which featured a citrus blend, heavy on the rosemary!

Energetics: dry, pungent, warming, aromatic, stimulating

Indications: Rosemary can be useful for a variety of conditions. It may be helpful for brain fog and mental clarity, depression, cardiovascular issues, tension headaches, gas and bloating, stimulation of the gall bladder and liver, and hair growth stimulation. Rosemary helps to increase the circulation throughout the body and enhance blood flow. Topically it can be used to relieve muscle and joint pain, rheumatism, and arthritis.

Systems: digestive, musculoskeletal, nervous, cardiovascular

Actions: carminative, bitter, antispasmodic, antidepressant, rubefacient, antimicrobial, emmanagogue, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, neuroprotective

Cautions: Avoid large doses while pregnant

Constituents: volatile oils (borneol, camphene, camphor, cineole, limonene, linalool), flavonoids, rosmarinic acid, carnosic acid, diterpenes, rosmarinicine, and triterpenes

Culinary Use: Rosemary has a pungent taste and a scent with a hint of pine. It can be used fresh or dried in a variety of savory and sweet dishes including with roasted meats and chicken, breads and stuffing, with vegetables, cheeses and eggs. It can be used to flavor olive oil and used in salad dressings as well as being infused into milk or cream that can be used in mashed potatoes, quiche, and even ice-cream! Chopped fresh rosemary added to a shortbread cookie recipe makes a nice variation, especially during the holidays. Rosemary wands can also be used to baste meats as they grill and the mature branches can be stripped of leaves and used as a skewer for roasting vegetables. Rosemary also makes a lovely herbal butter that can be used in a variety of ways. Rosemary, combined with mint, thyme, and sage makes a beautiful vinegar, much like the four thieves vinegar of the 17^th century, which may have also included wormwood, juniper, cloves, horehound, angelica and camphor.

Other Uses: I love making a rosemary hydrosol to use as a facial toner and leave-in scalp spray for hair growth.

Written by Jaime Pawelek

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